A variety of motorized devices fall in between human-powered transport and motor vehicle traffic. They may be used for recreation, or as assistive devices for persons with physical limitations, or as ways of avoiding traffic congestion. Of course, people find different uses according to their needs as this video demonstrates: VDOT groups the whole range of slow-speed motorized devices in with walking and bicycling including mopeds, personal assistive mobility devices and motorized skateboards or scooters. This summary of national traffic laws has a table of laws related specifically to segways.

The primary issue for such devices is ensuring safety through regulations. This road safety fact sheet addresses motorized scooters and wheelchairs. Other vehicles may be trying to solve the wrong problem, like the segway that costs much more than walking or biking, without the health benefits.

A new study found that the number of golf cart-related injuries rose 132 percent during the 17-year study period. Advocates say golf carts are “green” transportation and a remedy for high gas prices. But an article in WSJ questions whether they belong on public roads. “Under federal safety rules, NEVs ["neighborhood electric vehicle,"] are classified as "low-speed vehicles." Such vehicles are exempt from almost all of the safety standards that apply to passenger cars. LSVs don't need to have bumpers or doors and don't have to pass tests of crashworthiness. Because they usually weigh about 1,200 pounds—roughly a third as much as many cars—safety experts say there is almost no way for vehicles to stand up to a collision with a 4,000-pound sedan or sport-utility vehicle.” The GEM advertises, “battery-electric vehicles are classified as low-speed vehicles, or neighborhood electric vehicles, and are street legal in nearly all 50 states on public roads posted at 35 mph or less.”

In some communities, golf carts have become so popular as to take over and alter traffic patterns. And it is not just retirement communities that are affected, golf carts can be popular with teens. Other reasons for preferring golf carts are more disturbing as this article from Wired tells.

Unfortunately, safety rarely keeps up with speed. And it doesn't help matters that drivers don't need a license to operate a standard cart. Dylan Galbreath, a local deputy near the Villages who also runs a 24-hour golf cart emergency-service company, tells me, "There are people who have DUIs who can't drive a car but drive a golf cart instead." Some folks move to the Villages because they've lost their licenses in other cities or states and don't want to give up their freedom of mobility. "I met an elderly woman who had an eye condition and couldn't pass the vision test, and that's why she moved here," one resident tells me. "We've got a club member who has MS," Kobar says. "They wouldn't renew his license, so he comes down here and drives."

Tags: disabilities | electric vehicles | GEM | golf cart | green vehicle | low speed vehicle | LSV | moped | motorized scooter | motorized wheelchair | pedestrians | safety | segway